The Audi GT50 is not just another show car. This concept was designed and built by a group of ambitious trainees, the same team behind the RS6 GTO project and several standout EV conversions. Their goal was simple: pay tribute to one of Audi’s most famous engines and prove that a new generation still values bold engineering and daring design.

Sitting on the RS3 platform, the GT50 trades modern curves for sharp lines, boxy shapes, and a classic racing front end inspired by IMSA and Trans Am legends. Huge turbofan wheels and vintage details scream 1989, making the car feel like it rolled straight out of an old touring car paddock. But the heart of the GT50 remains the real hero. Under the hood sits Audi’s 2.5 liter turbo five cylinder engine, putting down the same 394 horsepower as today’s RS3. For fans, the message is clear: the engine is the star, and with just a few tweaks, it could easily break the 500 horsepower mark.

Audi’s five cylinder lineup started all the way back in 1976 and has powered icons from the original Quattro to the 90 IMSA GTO. While most brands dropped this engine configuration years ago, Audi kept the faith and continues to use it in the latest RS3. The GT50 brings this legacy back to life with an attitude that is pure motorsport. From the box flared fenders to the minimalist interior and functional aero, everything about the GT50 screams race car for the road.

The GT50 is not just about nostalgia. Its launch has fueled speculation that Audi is preparing an even more aggressive RS3 or a limited edition five cylinder model to battle the hottest hatches from Mercedes AMG and beyond. For now, the GT50 stands as a tribute to a rare mechanical passion and a clever reminder that sometimes looking back can inspire the most exciting paths forward.